As Artificial Intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) continue to disrupt the data center landscape, Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, has announced a new portfolio of high-density data centre infrastructure solutions to support the higher power and cooling requirements of AI.

Now available across Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Vertiv 360AI is designed to accelerate AI deployments of any scale, with designs ranging from rack solutions for test pilots and Edge AI, to full data centres for AI model training.

AI and accelerated computing are driving unprecedented demand for power and cooling, with rack densities anticipated to reach up to 500 kW per rack. As a result, power and cooling infrastructure design and deployment has become significantly more complicated.

Vertiv 360AI provides a simple way to power and cool AI, with a complete portfolio of power, cooling, and service solutions that solve the complex challenges arising from the AI revolution, says the company. These solutions include validated designs and pre-engineered systems to provide the benefit of Vertiv’s deep expertise while eliminating design cycles.

“After the successful launch in North America, we’re thrilled to bring the new Vertiv 360AI portfolio to EMEA and boost our customers’ AI plans,” says Karsten Winther, president for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at Vertiv. “Our solutions provide a streamlined approach for scalable AI infrastructure, addressing the evolving challenges posed by high-performance computing. Vertiv 360AI is designed to help accelerate retrofits of air-cooled edge and enterprise data centres, as well as the development of hyperscale greenfield projects.”

Vertiv 360AI also features prefabricated modular solutions to enable customers to deploy AI without disturbing existing workloads and without consuming floorspace. Initial Vertiv 360AI solutions can power and cool over 130 kW per rack, and include designs optimised for retrofits.

Meanwhile, Vertiv has announced that it has joined hands with ZincFive, a world leader in nickel-zinc (NiZn) battery-based solutions for immediate power applications, to add the ZincFive BC Series uninterruptible power supply (UPS) battery cabinets to its portfolio of battery systems available for data centre back-up power. The safe and recyclable nickel-zinc batteries are compatible with select large and medium Vertiv UPS, including the recently launched Vertiv Trinergy, systems as a source of back-up energy storage, in line with the company’s commitment to enable customers to minimise the environmental footprint of their data centre sites.

The ZincFive BC Series UPS Battery Cabinets are now available from Vertiv in North America and Europe, Middle East and Africa. These cabinets are the first nickel-zinc battery energy storage solution with backward and forward compatibility with megawatt class UPS.

The BC Series is claimed to offer the smallest footprint in the industry compared to VRLA and Lithium-Ion, and minimal maintenance requirements. The NiZn chemistry provides reliable operation, with the battery strings remaining conductive, even with weak or depleted cells.

ZincFive’s CEO and Co-Founder, Tim Hysell, emphasises: “Our relentless commitment to innovation shines through our powerful, safe, and reliable nickel-zinc battery technology. The BC Series represents an ideal solution to meet the evolving demands of data centres, both today and in the future. Furthermore, the importance of sustainability in data centre back-up battery systems is on the rise, aligning perfectly with the shared values of ZincFive, our partners, and our customers. We are dedicated to minimising carbon emissions and operational expenses without compromising on safety or performance.”

“Vertiv and ZincFive want to enable reliable and efficiently operated data centres around the world, providing greater access to data, with less waste and greater energy efficiency,” says Milind Paranjape, Vertiv Senior Director of Energy Storage. “Vertiv has already deployed the ZincFive product at several sites for major data centre companies.”

Paranjape also says the technology is an excellent solution for customers faced with challenges with local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) regarding National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and the International Fire Code (IFC).